Volunteers fill empty stomachs and help restore souls

An annual Thanksgiving tradition kicked off before dawn at Voice of Calvary Ministries. That's where volunteers from all walks of life helped fill empty stomachs and restore souls.

Whisking eggs and frying breakfast favorites to serve the poor is a Thanksgiving tradition several Jackson and metro area churches collaborate on annually. The hot meal is something 68 year-old Vivian Brack is truly thankful for.

"I had nothing in my place to eat," said Brack.

Like many of the people who came out for breakfast, Brack is no stranger to hardship.

"I'm scared that I won't have a place to live," said Brack, with tears in her eyes.

For nearly 20 years volunteers have teamed up on Thanksgiving morning to make a difference for those who are struggling.

"It feels good to see them smile back at you because even though they don't have all the things that you have, it feels really good to know that you made someone else's day," said 11th grade volunteer Leigh Triml.

Volunteers who organized the breakfast said the Thanksgiving meal is only one portion of what they want folks to take away from the breakfast.

"We're feeding you actual physical food, but we also want to have a spiritual part of that as well," said volunteer Keila Smith.

"It's a way to give hope, its a time of year where people seem hopeless, lonely and struggling and so its a way to give back," said One Church Pastor Matt McGue.

After breakfast, Brack picked out some clothing and other donations.

"I just thank God that there's a place like this for us to come too," said Brack.

The churches that came together to serve are Common Ground, St. Peter's by the Lake, Farish Street Baptist Church, One Church, Neighborhood Christian Center and Voice of Calvary Fellowship.